ready
/ˈred.i/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Prepared for something, or in a state where something can happen now. It can also mean willing to do something.
- I am ready to leave now.
- She is ready for the exam.
- Are you ready to start?
verb
To make something prepared for use, action, or sale. This is less common than the adjective.
- We are readying the room for guests.
- They ready the report every Monday.
noun
A short informal word for readiness, especially in set phrases like "at the ready."
- Keep the documents at the ready.
- He stood there, at the ready.
Adinary Nuance
Ready is about being prepared now. It is different from willing, which means you agree to do something, and from set, which often means the final stage before an action starts. In speech, people often say "I’m ready" when they mean they can begin immediately.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sẵn sàng
- Spanish
- listo
- Chinese
- 准备好
- Japanese
- 準備ができた
- Korean
- 준비된
Etymology
Ready comes from Old English ræde, meaning 'prepared' or 'quick'. It has been used in English since before 1000 CE.
Common phrases
ready to goget readyready for anythingat the ready
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between ready and prepared?
- Ready often means you can start now. Prepared is a little more formal and can sound more deliberate.
- Is ready formal or informal?
- Ready is very common in both spoken and written English. It is neutral, not formal.
- Can I say 'I am ready to help'?
- Yes. It means you are willing and able to help now.
- What does 'get ready' mean?
- It means to make yourself prepared for something, like leaving, working, or sleeping.